The leader of Coventry City Council is to take on a national role in a Home Office team to declare war on vehicle crime.

Cllr Nick Nolan (Lab, Holbrooks) will represent local authorities across the country on the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team as the nominee of the Local Government Association.

The team aims to cut vehicle crime by 30 per cent.

A key part of his role will be to strengthen links between police forces and local partnerships and to encourage councillors nationwide to support the initiative.

He said: "Over one million people a year are victims of vehicle crime. It is the biggest single category of all recorded crime and cars are the main target.

"We have got to do something about this and I am delighted to be able to play my part.

"My appointment recognises the key role Coventry City Council is playing, in partner-ship with the police, in the battle of crime prevention and reduction."

The team is chaired by a director of the Ford Motor Company and its membership includes representatives of the Home Office, Department of Transport and Local Regions, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Automobile Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the Association of British Insurers.